Karnataka State Government v. State of Karnataka
Minimum Wages Act, 1948 – Sections 20(2) and 20(5) – Condonation of delay
Case brief
What is this about?
Karnataka HC, WP No. 1287 of 2025 (L-MW), decided 21.04.2026 by Justice Anant Ramanath Hegde. Daily wage employees' federation (Shimoga Unit) v. State of Karnataka & NUHM officials: minimum wages claim for 01.01.2017-31.12.2018; correction of delay-condonation period in Authority's order dated 09.10.2023 (condonation properly runs from 01.01.2017 to 30.06.2018); direction to Authority under S.20(5) Minimum Wages Act, 1948 to apply to jurisdictional Magistrate for recovery within 45 days; 10% per annum interest if unpaid thereafter.
What did the court decide?
Directions issued: (i) order dated 09.10.2023 of respondent No.5 to be read as condoning delay from 01.01.2017 to 30.06.2018; (ii) respondent No.5 to make an application before the jurisdictional Magistrate to recover the minimum wages payable, to be completed within 45 days from receipt of certified copy of the order; (iii) if the amount is not paid within 45 days, petitioner entitled to interest @ 10% per annum on the amount due from the date of the order till realisation.